|
|
For Immediate Release |
| December 9, 2002 | |
| Contact: Carol McKay | |
| 202-835-3323 ext.114 | |
| media@nclnet.org |
Mail
Order Catalogues, E-Shopping Malls Convenient But Not Perfect; NCL Offers Tips
for Safe and Successful
Washington, DC—Purchasing
holiday gifts by phone and online can save consumers a lot of hassle, but the
National Consumers League (NCL) warns consumers this holiday season that, if
they’re not careful, it can create some hassle as well. Just because it’s
easy to place your order by phone or online doesn’t mean that the merchandise
will arrive on time or look just like it did in the catalogue or on the Web
site. NCL offers these tips for avoiding disappointment this holiday season:
·
Shop
early. Waiting until
the last minute limits selection.
·
Don’t
assume that the item is in stock.
If you want to play it safe, ask about availability before you order.
·
Know
the delivery time.
Under the federal Mail or Telephone Order Rule, which also applies to online
orders, the seller must deliver within the time stated or, if no delivery time
is promised, within 30 days. If the seller is unable to ship on time, you must
be notified and given the option to cancel. But by then, it may be too late to
find what you’re looking for elsewhere. That’s another reason to shop early.
·
Know
who you’re dealing with.
If the company is unfamiliar, check it out with your state or local consumer
agency and the Better Business Bureau.
·
Know
the return policy. If
the item isn’t quite what you expected or the recipient doesn’t like it,
there is no automatic cancellation right. Find out if refunds are made and under
what conditions before you place your order.
·
Know
the complete cost,
including shipping, and how much it will cost, if anything, if you return the
item.
·
Be
wary of rebates that
cover most or the entire purchase price. These may be fraudulent or designed to
lure you into buying other items at inflated prices. Shop around for the best
prices from companies with good reputations.
·
Know
the seller’s privacy policy.
Look for information in the catalogue or on the Web site about how the personal
information you provide will be used, whether it will be shared with others, and
what options you have to avoid unwanted marketing.
·
Pay
with a credit card
because you can dispute the charges if the merchandise isn’t delivered,
arrives late, is defective, or was misrepresented. And pay securely. If you are
ordering online, read what the Web site says about security. At the point where
you provide your account information, the “http” in the address bar at the
top of the screen should change to “https” or “shttp,” indicating that
the information is being converted to code so no one else can read it.
·
Keep
records. Note the
date of purchase, the contact information for the seller, the amount you paid,
and any promises about delivery or other aspects of your order. Save the
catalogue or advertisement; if you placed your order online, print out the Web
pages—those that promoted the product and your purchase confirmation.
NCL
has more tips about safe online shopping, protecting your privacy, and avoiding
unwanted marketing. Check out www.nclnet.org
to learn more about staying safe this holiday shopping season.
The
National
Consumers League, founded in 1899, is
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